*UPDATED* UKRI: Proof of Concept

UKRI has pre-announced a call for proof-of-concept funding. Awards will be a minimum of £100,000 for a six month project, and up to £250,000 for a twelve month project. UKRI’s deadline for full applications will be 29 May 2025.

Please note that:

  1. In order to apply for this call, you will need to have registered with UKRI your intention to submit an application (the deadline for this was 3 March), and will have received an email of receipt from UKRI. 
  2. UKRI has capped institutional application numbers for this call - Oxford can submit a maximum of four applications. Therefore, an internal selection process will be run for this call (details are set out below). 

The funding call
The funding opportunity will support and accelerate the development of new or improved technologies, products, processes, and services arising from research activities. The award aims to facilitate and de-risk the commercialisation of research, so as to enable spinouts or social ventures, licensing or other commercial pathways. Applications are welcomed from any discipline, including cross and multidisciplinary approaches. 

UKRI will consider applications for projects that are not eligible for proof-of-concept funding via existing UKRI funding opportunities. Successful applications will address both of the following types of activity: 

  • The further development or advancement of research toward specific user needs and market use or audiences
  • The development of the commercialisation requirements needed to reach those users and markets. 

The following activities will not be funded by this call: curiosity driven or discovery research, public engagement activities, the filing of intellectual property (e.g. patent, trademark, registered design). 

Oxford's selection process: Deadline: 12.00pm Wednesday 26 March 2025 

UKRI has indicated that Oxford is able to submit a maximum of four applications for this call. Therefore, Oxford will run an internal selection process to choose the applications that will be put forward. 

How to apply to Oxford's selection process: 

  • Project leads are asked to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) via IRAMS. The EoI application form can be found here   
  • The internal deadline for submission of EoIs will be 12.00pm on Wednesday 26 March 2025
  • This is a competitive call and a high number of project leads have registered their intention to submit. Therefore, so that selection is as fair and inclusive as possible, there will be a two stage selection process:
    1. EoIs will be reviewed by a cross-divisional Sift Panel, who will select a shortlist.
    2. The shortlist will be reviewed by a cross-divisional Selection Panel who will select the four applications that will be put forward to UKRI
  • Project leads will be notified of the result of the selection process by late April/early May.  

 

Eligibility information for Oxford's selection process:

  • To be eligible for the selection process, project leads will have registered their intention to submit with UKRI. 
  • Due to the high level of interest in this call, only one EoI will be accepted per project lead. If you registered more than one project with UKRI as project lead, please choose the strongest to put forward to Oxford's selection process. 
  • Project leads must be employed by the University of Oxford. 

 

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